AO: The Patriot
QIC: Maj Payne
The PAX: Lucius, Noodle, Dr. D, Prenup, Subprime, Bandit, Poe, 90210, Roddick, Bone
Two brave PAX posted for EC ruck this A.M., with a 0430 SP, and additional nine arrived for the 0530 main event, where 11 PAX honored the life of our 41st president, George H.W. Bush who passed away peacefully Nov 30 at his home. Regardless of where folks land on the political spectrum, there is no denying that 41 led a full life of service. We live in the greatest country on Earth, and it is important to take some time to honor and remember someone who contributed so much.
WU:
SSH x 41
IW x 10
LBAC (front) x 10
LBAC (rear) x 10
Merkins x 10
The Thang:
The PAX learned a bit about George H.W. Bush today. Correct responses garnered 10 x Merkins while incorrect responses resulted in burpees. Let the fun begin!
YHC decided to start with an easy one, recognizing that President Bush served in the Navy, in Congress, as Director of the CIA, as vice president and ultimately as president. What number president was he? Ans from the PAX: 41! Correct! Knock out yer 10 x Merkins and off for a snake through the stadium steps.
Once all PAX finished the stadium, YHC offered up Q2. We all know Bush was a WWII veteran. In fact, he is the last combat veteran president. What inspired him to join the Navy? Several initial responses surfaced, with service to country, almost being settled upon by the PAX as a final response, when Noodle piped up that it was the attack on Pearl Harbor. True fact! Well done and another 10 x Merkins for all PAX!
Back through the stadium stairs for Q3. President Bush was a Naval aviator, and he flew a Grumman TBF Avenger torpedo bomber. He actually survived multiple crashes as a result of enemy action during his military service. How many crashes did he survive? The PAX were unsure, with the numbers 2 and 3 being thrown out as guesses. The correct response was…well, actually two! YHC incorrectly said four, and doled out 5 x burpees to the PAX. That’s life sometimes. It ain’t fair. But rest assured, YHC is knocking out penalty burpees as you read this.
Back through the stadium stairs to the other end of the field for Q4. 41 entered the Navy just prior to his 19th birthday, and was the youngest aviator in the Navy in 1943. He flew missions from the carrier USS San Jacinto that operated in the Pacific. How many combat missions did he fly? The PAX responded with numbers ranging from the 40s to the 80s. Subprime had obviously been waiting for this question and confidently responded with 57 since that’s what Norah O’Donnell said. Too bad…NO’D led him astray says the Navy. Close, but it’s actually 58! 10 x burpees for the PAX.
Time to move to the next venue, and the PAX moseyed on to the Arena.
On a Navy carrier, there isn’t much room to exercise. To honor what surely must’ve been a cornerstone of 41’s workout regimen, the PAX worked through a single circuit of pain consisting of the following:
- 15 x Aussie pullups, then 15 x Merkins (timer — approx 41 seconds, of course)
- Battle Rope
- Banded Side Steppers
- Banded Squats
- Wall Balls (20# medicine ball)
- KB Ground to Overheads (35# KB)
- Banded Side Steppers
- Reverse Flys (5# DBs)
- Abdominal Wheel Extensions
- Banded Squats
- KB Swings (45# KB)
Pack up and mosey back to the start for some flutter kicks. How many? You guessed it, 41!
COT: President Bush led a life of service. He said during a 2011 ceremony to honor former President Ronald Reagan with the George Bush Award For Excellence In Public Service the following: “There could be no definition of a successful life that does not include service to others. Find something to do. Get off the bench. Don’t sit there whining, sucking your thumb, get in the game.”
So, get in the game! Go forward and serve those in your midst and in whatever your role: father, husband, son, friend, employee, boss, or even crazy uncle.
CAVU.
Aye!
F3 The Capital 